Hip-Hop Tribute and Benefit for XL Tonight

When the tome on Boston hip-hop finally gets written, there will no doubt be a thick chapter on The Kreators. They're one of the few Bean crews that warrant a best-of album (they actually dropped one a few years ago), and the work they've yielded separately has also impressed.

All of that might begin to explain why so much top notch Boston talent is swinging through The Western Front tonight in support of XL, who has a rare and costly health condition (read excerpt below for an interview he did with promoter Edu Leedz). Great cause. Dope music. What other reason do you need?

Leedz: Unfortunately you've been diagnosed with a health condition that has severely impaired you,   How does it feel to have played at hundreds of benefits and now you are having a benefit done for you?

XL: Yeah, my health condition has been very difficult to manage.  With doctors perplexed and frustrated it doesn't leave much room for patience and tolerance but I am coping the best I can.  I have to say that having a benefit thrown for me has been tough to get my head around.  So many people are like, " yo is X dead"?  It is so hard not to be able to go out and do for myself.  I mean I have played so many benefits in my life that it is strange being on the receiving end of one.
But I must say that I am truly honored and humbled by the outpouring of support that has been shown to me from my friends and the hip hop community...  
 
...I feel so very lucky that people think enough of me to rally around me for support, to give their time and money to help me out.  I can't tell you how much it helps me to deal with my situation.  It gives me some light and makes me feel very lucky indeed to be blessed enough to have so many great people in my life.  I want to thank each and every friend, fellow musician, fan and family member for the support you have given to me.  It's a real emotional subject and I will be honest in saying that it has added to my strength and fortitude on my road to recovery.  I will never forget what so many of you have done for me.  Thank you and I love all a yall.